Pet rabbits are naturally sociable and curious animals, and it could be rewarding to build a healthy relationship with them! It’s important to socialize your bunny from a young age, so they’ll become more and more comfortable with human contact. How should you pick up and hold your bunny correctly?
When picking up your bunny, get on their level and calm them with pets and treats. Starting from the chest, you can lift your bunny and end with a scooping motion towards its back legs. Hold them close to your chest, so they feel safe and comfortable, and put them down with their face towards you.
Knowing how to handle your bunny when picking them up is crucial, as they may not be entirely comfortable if you don’t know how. Keep reading with us as we go through tips for picking up your rabbit and how to do it correctly!
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Step-By-Step Guide To Holding Your Bunny Correctly
There are a few steps when you decide to hold your bunny and give them some affection. If you are nervous around your bunny, they will sense it and become aggravated or scared, which will lower your chances of getting them to allow you to pick them up.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps you can take when holding your bunny:
Step 1: Kneel Next To Your Bunny And Get On Their Level
Help your rabbit become more comfortable handling by making yourself seem less intimidating. Try kneeling as close to your rabbit and getting on their ground level as far as possible.
This will make your rabbit see you as less than a predator, but more as a loving friend, making them calmer and more friendly as well.
When you are on your bunny’s level, be sure not to make any sudden sounds or moves that might alarm them. Start by petting them gently, as they will try to run away and hide if they feel threatened.
Step 2: Keep Your Bunny Calm With Pets And Treats
Once you have gained your bunny’s trust and they don’t regard you as a big and scary predator, you should continue soothing them with gentle pets.
Try to pet your rabbit with steady and smooth strokes along its back while avoiding pressure on its sensitive areas, such as the joints and eyes.
You can also use a plate of leafy greens to win them over even more!
Step 3: Start To Pick Your Rabbit Up Without Startling Them
Learning how to get the initial picking-up part of your rabbit right could make all the difference between a constant struggle and a smooth and gentle pick-up.
Practice by slowly and gently placing your palm under your bunny’s chest, followed by your other hand on its behind.
You can then start lifting its back legs off the ground and setting them back down when holding them. If everything has gone smoothly, reward your furry companion with a tasty treat!
If done correctly, your rabbit will feel safe and secure the whole time, which will help them to get more used to the feeling of you picking them up.
It might also be good to remember that when you have your rabbit in your arms, be careful with how fast you stand up from the ground! If your bunny senses danger, it may result in kicking, which could cause you to lose your grip, and they may fall back down and certainly be scared!
Rabbits are fragile animals, and falling from even the most minor heights could lead to a severe injury. If your rabbit is not entirely comfortable in your arms yet, try to avoid standing up so as not to alert them further.
Step 4: Hold Your Bunny As Close To You As Possible
After successfully holding your bunny, hold a firm but gentle grip while holding them close to your body. While rabbits may have many different personalities, and some may enjoy being held more than others, all rabbits will enjoy the feeling of security that comes along with being held by their owner.
Step 5: Releasing Your Rabbit Into Its Cage Or On The Ground
When you are done holding your rabbit, you must follow the same caution as when you picked them up. Be sure to return them as close to ground level as possible.
This is not only important for not hurting them, but it’s also a way to establish trust between you and your bunny. When you return them to their original state, they will receive the message that you will always take care to keep them safe when holding them.
Place them back into their cage or carrier by putting their hind legs first, with their face towards yours. There is always the risk of your bunny trying to jump out of your arms, so remember to keep a firm grip at all times.
The Importance Of Holding Your Bunny Correctly
If pet bunnies are not handled often and gently, they may not be comfortable when being held at first. You should also remember that rabbits are prey animals, so their natural reaction would be fear when you first start holding them.
When you’re in the first stages of learning how to handle your bunny, keep the following tips in mind:
Start Holding Your Bunny From A Young Age
You need to get your bunny used to human touch and affection by socializing them early in life. Bunnies who aren’t held from a young age may find human contact to be distressing.
Be Gentle Before Holding Your Rabbit
Talk in a low voice and move slowly around your bunny so they won’t become startled. Rabbits are much more likely to be relaxed in a calm and quiet handling environment.
Always Practice Safety When Holding Your Bunny
Safety is essential when handling any rabbit, as they have fragile spines that could become damaged if stressed and struggle to get loose when being held.
Conclusion
By knowing the behavioral signs of a relaxed and calm bunny and the signs of a stressed and startled one, you will soon master the art of picking up your beloved pet! Always remember to practice safety and caution not to hurt your bunny, which could make a severe dent in their sense of trust.
